Extendable cable or extendable connecting member

Abstract

A cable includes an elastic member extendable and compressible in a first direction and a first conductor having a meandering portion embedded in the elastic member. The meandering portion meanders within the elastic member and extends in the first direction. It is preferable that a plurality of coating members are arranged in parallel in the first direction and coupled to a surface of the elastic member. In addition, it is preferable that each of the coating members is harder than the elastic member.

1. A cable comprising:
 an elastic member extendable and compressible in a first direction, the elastic member having a first surface and a second surface which are opposed to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; 
 a first conductor having a meandering portion embedded in the elastic member; and 
 a plurality of coating members coupled to each of the first surface and the second surface of the elastic member, 
 wherein the meandering portion meanders within the elastic member and extends in the first direction, 
 wherein, on each of the first surface and the second surface, the coating members are separated from one another in the first direction with a space left therebetween, and 
 wherein each of the coating members is harder than the elastic member. 
 
   
   
     2. The cable according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating members are arranged so that, when the elastic member is bent in the second direction, adjacent ones of the coating members are brought into contact with each other in the first direction. 
   
   
     3. The cable according to  claim 1 , wherein positions of the coating members coupled to the first surface are shifted in the first direction with respect to positions of the coating members coupled to the second surface. 
   
   
     4. The cable according to  claim 1 , wherein the meandering portion meanders in a plane containing the first and the second directions. 
   
   
     5. The cable according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fixing portion disposed at at least one end of the elastic member in the first direction,
 wherein the first conductor has a straight portion extending from the meandering portion and fixed to the fixing portion. 
 
   
   
     6. The cable according to  claim 5 , wherein the straight portion has a protruding portion protruding from the fixing portion. 
   
   
     7. The cable according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second conductor extending through the elastic member in parallel to the first conductor. 
   
   
     8. The cable according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and the second conductors are arranged in parallel in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second directions. 
   
   
     9. The cable according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the coating members has a long plate-like shape extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. 
   
   
     10. The cable according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating members are arranged so that, when the elastic member is bent in the second direction, adjacent ones of the coating members are brought into contact with each other in the first direction. 
   
   
     11. The cable according to  claim 9 , wherein positions of the coating members coupled to the first surface are shifted in the first direction with respect to positions of the coating members coupled to the second surface. 
   
   
     12. The cable according to  claim 9 , wherein the meandering portion meanders in a plane containing the first and the second directions. 
   
   
     13. The cable according to  claim 9 , further comprising a fixing portion disposed at at least one end of the elastic member in the first direction,
 wherein the first conductor has a straight portion extending from the meandering portion and fixed to the fixing portion. 
 
   
   
     14. The cable according to  claim 13 , wherein the straight portion has a protruding portion protruding from the fixing portion. 
   
   
     15. The cable according to  claim 9 , further comprising a second conductor extending through the elastic member in parallel to the first conductor. 
   
   
     16. The cable according to  claim 15 , wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are arranged in parallel in the third direction.